Profile
- Type
- 155 mm tracked self-propelled howitzer
- Conflict side
- Ukraine
- Origin
- United Kingdom
- Service note
- British Army service from the early 1990s; donated to Ukraine during the Russia-Ukraine War
Artillery
AS-90
The AS-90 is a British tracked 155 mm self-propelled howitzer built for armored, mobile indirect fire support. In the Russia-Ukraine War it represents a UK-donated NATO-caliber artillery system for Ukrainian forces, combining a protected tracked chassis, 155 mm ammunition compatibility, rapid burst fire, and a conventional range of about 24.7 km.
- Conflict side
- Ukraine
- Built in
- United Kingdom
Service History
- In service
- Entered British Army service in 1993; transferred to Ukraine from 2023
- Used by
- Ukrainian Armed Forces, British Army
- Wars
- Russia-Ukraine War
Production History
- Designer
- Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering
- Designed
- 1980s
- Built in
- United Kingdom
- Produced
- 1992-1995
- Number built
- 179
- Variants
- AS-90
Specifications
- Main armament
- 155 mm L31 gun on a 39-calibre barrel
- Ammunition carried
- 48 x 155 mm rounds
- Crew
- 5
- Effective range
- 24.7 km with conventional ammunition
- Rate of fire
- Burst rate of 3 rounds in fewer than 10 seconds; intense rate of 6 rounds per minute for 3 minutes
- Mobility
- Tracked chassis with a 53 kph maximum speed and 420 km vehicle range
- Engine
- Cummins VTA903T turbocharged V8 660 bhp diesel
Conflict Usage
- Russia-Ukraine War
- Side: Ukraine
The United Kingdom donated AS-90 155 mm self-propelled guns to Ukraine, with UK reporting confirming 32 guns in the 2023 package and later reporting additional deliveries; Ukrainian AS-90 combat deployment was reported in 2023.
Related Weapon Systems
AHS Krab155 mm tracked self-propelled howitzerThe AHS Krab is a Polish 155 mm tracked self-propelled howitzer built by Huta Stalowa Wola around a NATO-standard 52-caliber gun, an armored tracked chassis, and modern fire-control equipment. In Ukrainian service it gives artillery units a mobile Western-caliber gun able to fire standard 155 mm ammunition, displace after missions, and operate in counter-battery-threatened sectors of the Russia-Ukraine War.
M109A6 Paladin155 mm tracked self-propelled howitzerThe M109A6 Paladin is a U.S. 155 mm tracked self-propelled howitzer that added onboard navigation, automatic fire-control, digital communications, and improved crew protection to the M109 family. In Ukraine, the Paladin represents a U.S.-supplied NATO-standard artillery system for mobile indirect fire, paired in the 2023 aid package with ammunition support vehicles for sustained gun-line operations.
M270 MLRSTracked multiple launch rocket systemThe M270 MLRS is a tracked, armored multiple launch rocket system built around two launch-pod containers for guided rockets or tactical missiles. In Ukrainian service during the Russia-Ukraine War, donated M270-family launchers complement HIMARS by carrying a larger rocket load on a heavier tracked chassis for long-range precision fires.
Challenger 2Main battle tankThe Challenger 2 is a British third-generation main battle tank built around a rifled 120 mm gun, heavy composite armor, and four-person crew operations. In the Russia-Ukraine War, the United Kingdom supplied a small squadron to Ukraine as one of the first Western main battle tank transfers of the full-scale invasion.
CV90Tracked infantry fighting vehicleThe CV90 is a Swedish tracked infantry fighting vehicle family built by BAE Systems Hägglunds for protected troop movement and direct-fire support. In Ukrainian service, Swedish-donated CV90s add a heavily armed Western IFV with strong cross-country mobility, a crewed turret, and support arrangements for training, maintenance, and additional vehicles.
Flakpanzer GepardSelf-propelled anti-aircraft gunThe Flakpanzer Gepard is a tracked German self-propelled anti-aircraft gun built around twin 35 mm automatic cannons and onboard search and tracking radars. In Ukraine it fills a short-range air defense role, pairing Leopard 1 mobility with gun-based engagement of low-flying aircraft, helicopters, missiles, and drones.Sources
AS90Publisher: The British Army | Note: Supports AS-90 technical specifications, artillery role, armament, range, rate of fire, crew, engine, and mobility data. | Accessed: 2026-06-19AS90Publisher: WeaponSystems.net | Note: Supports manufacturer, production background, origin, service-entry context, and additional technical specifications. | Accessed: 2026-06-19Support for Ukraine accelerated in a show of continued unity at RamsteinPublisher: GOV.UK | Note: Supports Russia-Ukraine War transfer context by documenting completion of delivery of 32 AS90 self-propelled guns for Ukraine. | Accessed: 2026-06-19UK to speed up military kit deliveries to support Ukraine's fightPublisher: GOV.UK | Note: Supports Russia-Ukraine War transfer context by documenting additional AS90 deliveries to Ukraine in 2024. | Accessed: 2026-06-19First combat operation for Ukrainian AS90 howitzers donated by UK against Russian forcesPublisher: Army Recognition | Note: Supports Russia-Ukraine War operational context by reporting Ukrainian combat deployment of UK-donated AS-90 howitzers. | Accessed: 2026-06-19AS90 Self-Propelled Gun MOD 45155082.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance for an AS-90 photograph by Richard Watt/MOD, available under the Open Government Licence. | Accessed: 2026-06-19